9-week Flashback

Birthday

Day 2

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

8-weeks Strong

Caroline took Jonathan in for his 8-week check-up. The doctor gave all indications that he passed with flying colors.

Johnny measured 26 inches long and weighed 16 lbs 1 oz. The average measurements for babies that are 8 weeks old are 23 inches long and 11 lbs 8 oz.

The 95th percentile measurements for babies 8 weeks old are 24.75 inches long and 14 lbs 8 oz.

So after doing a double take at Jonathan's charts and back at him, the doctor said, "Basically, out of all of the babies in the whole world who are 8 weeks old, he's is the biggest!"

He has at least outdone over 99% of all babykind. I did a little online baby height predictor and it said that based on his Mom and Dad's heights (and good looks) he ought to be about 6'7" tall when he finishes growing...plus or minus 4 inches. Can you imagine a 6'11" Merrell. Yikes!

new hat & i'm fat

blessing day

We took a long drive to St. George this weekend to bless our baby boy. By long I mean a stop almost every hour to feed a very angry red head by the name of Johnny. He doesn't know how to wake up peacefully when he's in his car seat. He goes from sleeping soundly to screaming his head off in 0.2 seconds. That means we have less than 0.2 seconds to find an exit and pull off the road before his screams turn into shrieks. It was a baptism by fire so to speak into the world of traveling with a baby. We now understand how the rest of you feel.

But the trip was well worth it to have this special day with our family. My parents and two youngest brothers, Doug and Mark made the long trip down from ID (so wonderful of them!). And we also got to welcome Brian's youngest brother Allen home from his 2-year mission to Mexico. It was really neat to see him walk off the plane looking sharp in his well-worn suit and watch Brian's family, especially his mom, cry very happy tears. (Allen is the handsome one wearing a suit in the very last picture)

Beus Family

Merrell Family

beth's visit

We loved having auntie Beth in town. There's just something about sisters. I really miss living close to my two sisters, so it was a special treat to have Beth here for almost a whole week. She helped so much with Johnny. It was amazing how much I could get done in a day with 2 extra hands! Here are a few pictures from her trip.

Who loves Beth? Johnny does.

Bath time!

Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium.

Elder Ballard threw the first pitch!

We got asked a thousand times if we are sisters. Yes, please.

Family picture.

Goodnight Johnny!

5 weeks

baby johnny is changing so fast... at 5 weeks he's without a doubt a little redhead and is currently working on a pair of thunder thighs, 2 things i'm very excited about.

he still LOVES to curl up in a ball on dad's chest and sleep while dad tries to do his homework...

and watch sports on the couch...

and dress up like captain merrell... don't let the look on his face deceive you.